I’ve been to New York a few times and have always stayed in the theatre district but this time I stayed in Soho and loved it. The local neighbourhood is perfect for shopping and restaurants and feels more relaxed than uptown.

The Soho Grand was the first hotel to be built in Soho in over a century, opening in 1996, after the area was rediscovered and cleaned up. The non descript red brick exterior reflects the evolution of Soho’s architectural history so don’t be put off by its starkness.

Soho Grand-industrial chic interior

The industrial chic interior designed by Bill Sofield is modern classic and uses all the materials consistent with Soho’s character – a mix of the old and new, exposed concrete, steel, aged fitting and luxurious soft furnishings.

The facilities and services are excellent including free Wi-Fi, a gym, a wonderful bar and lounge area that’s popular with the locals, with jazz most evenings. The room rate is reasonable for NYC.